A Design Based Introduction to Electrical Engineering

This freshman course has four objectives: to establish a feeling of "belonging" to electrical engineering; to provide an overview of the electrical engineering field and the options available; to teach basic circuit concepts; and to elicit creative thinking in the students. The class meets twice a week for an hour and a half and carries one credit hour. The course itself, by being at the freshman level, provides the desired electrical Engineering Department home base. The overview is provided by presentations, demonstrations, and limited hands-on experiences in the various options. Objectives three and four are realized in a series of logical design exercises using switches and relays. At the end of the course, the students feel at home in the EE department; they have learned to function effectively on design teams; they have acquired some basic circuit concepts; and they have used analytical and creative thinking processes.